Get off your high horse people - if you drive an M3 you know how easy it is to exceed the speed limit by 40mph or more. Shit, in light traffic an M3 driven at 120 is safer than some old beater traveling 65, so lighten up on the judgement and give the OP a CONSTRUCTIVE opinion on his situation, if you have one...

Agreed. Seriously, how many people haven't punched it on more than a few occasions on the street. Sustained high speed driving or street racing is a different story entirely and is very risky, but do you really think you can own an M3 and only exceed the speed limit on a track? Who has the time to get to a track that often?

Over the years, I have learned how to drive fast safely on the street (flame suit is on so fire way).

1. Don't drive fast in traffic

2. Don't drive fast in any type of foul weather

3. Don't drive fast in any kind of populated area

4. Always slow down when passing another vehicle

5. Always keep safe following distances

6. Check all your mirrors frequently

7. Be constantly scanning the edges of the roadway to look for the state revenue generators

8. Slow down before bends, bridges and other places with limited visibility

9. I always set a visual target point for myself to which I am going to drive fast based on all factors considered. When I reach that point, I slow down again.

10. Consider the edges of the roadway. Is is flat off both sides or is there a 100ft cliff on one side.

11. Always know what type of unmarked cars are being used in the areas that you are driving, and learn the common physical traits of unmarked cars. After a while, they won't seem "unmarked".

12. Invest a a good radar detector and laser jammer. If they save you once, they have paid themselves off when you consider ticket and insurance costs.

13. If you see any brake lights going on ahead of you, slow down yourself.

Agreed. Seriously, how many people haven't punched it on more than a few occasions on the street. Sustained high speed driving or street racing is a different story entirely and is very risky, but do you really think you can own an M3 and only exceed the speed limit on a track? Who has the time to get to a track that often?

Over the years, I have learned how to drive fast safely on the street (flame suit is on so fire way).

1. Don't drive fast in traffic

2. Don't drive fast in any type of foul weather

3. Don't drive fast in any kind of populated area

4. Always slow down when passing another vehicle

5. Always keep safe following distances

6. Check all your mirrors frequently

7. Be constantly scanning the edges of the roadway to look for the state revenue generators

8. Slow down before bends, bridges and other places with limited visibility

9. I always set a visual target point for myself to which I am going to drive fast based on all factors considered. When I reach that point, I slow down again.

10. Consider the edges of the roadway. Is is flat off both sides or is there a 100ft cliff on one side.

11. Always know what type of unmarked cars are being used in the areas that you are driving, and learn the common physical traits of unmarked cars. After a while, they won't seem "unmarked".

12. Invest a a good radar detector and laser jammer. If they save you once, they have paid themselves off when you consider ticket and insurance costs.

13. If you see any brake lights going on ahead of you, slow down yourself.

Anyway, I could go on, but I think you get the picture.

could not agree with you more on your points. I've been driving for over 30 years and have used a radar detector since college. Not because I'm an aggressive driver, but because it's just too easy to get tickets these days for doing 10 mph over the limit in a 25mph zone. Now I have a 16 year old son starting to drive and always stress the importance of being aware of your surroundings, watching what other cars ahead of you are doing, and most of all to use common sense!

it worked for a lady and the officer let her go after he calmed down from

All joking aside ...

sorry hear this, here in Canada at that much above the posted limit they would suspend your licence and tow your car away. Do hire a lawyer if he can reduce your points and do take that defensive driving course if it further helps to reduce that point count.

12. Invest a a good radar detector and laser jammer. If they save you once, they have paid themselves off when you consider ticket and insurance costs.

I do agree with all you say, however, with all respect if you need item 12 you are driving too fast.

I use the 10% rule and "follow the flow" ... that is to say

a) if there is no traffic at all around me I drive no more then 10% above the posted speed limit.

b) in normal traffic I follow the traffic flow at safe distance of course. If I come up on a slow poke, I'll overtake him/her in style for I have the power under the hood.

I do drive the m3 primarily for 2 reasons;

1) for the safety margin (in power and handling) it provides my first m3 a e46 did save my life (while overtaking a 18 wheeler he came into my lane and almost pushed me over the cliff - putting the pedal to the metal and leaning on the horn woke up the truck driver and properly saved both our lives. I know this for I made it out off harms way and I saw him recovering his rick in my rear view mirror).

Years ago I got pulled over doing 90 in a 25 mph zone (rural area). Luckily the officer was a classmate of mine and he let it slide. To this day when I see him we get a laugh about it. Then I buy him lunch.

I do agree with all you say, however, with all respect if you need item 12 you are driving too fast.....

a) if there is no traffic at all around me I drive no more then 10% above the posted speed limit.

b) in normal traffic I follow the traffic flow at safe distance of course. If I come up on a slow poke, I'll overtake him/her in style for I have the power under the hood.

Having seen many,*many* people who have perished in car accidents (I worked for 20 years in a large hospital's ER) I know what booze and speed (individually *and* in combination) can do.Therefore,my policy is...no more than 5mph over the speed limit...which,on an Interstate,is about 10%.My car has tons of torque (400 ft lbs at 1,700 rpm) so acceleration and passing are a breeze....but speed *does* kill.It even kills experienced drivers driving extreme machines.

Having seen many,*many* people who have perished in car accidents (I worked for 20 years in a large hospital's ER) I know what booze and speed (individually *and* in combination) can do.Therefore,my policy is...no more than 5mph over the speed limit...which,on an Interstate,is about 10%.My car has tons of torque (400 ft lbs at 1,700 rpm) so acceleration and passing are a breeze....but speed *does* kill.It even kills experienced drivers driving extreme machines.

With your driving philosophy wouldn't it make more sense for you to own a Prius?

Years ago I got pulled over doing 90 in a 25 mph zone (rural area). Luckily the officer was a classmate of mine and he let it slide. To this day when I see him we get a laugh about it. Then I buy him lunch.

I don't think your friend did you any favours by letting you go, besides he broke the rules what the police force stands for. If you should ever (haven forbid) have a serious accident your friend will never forgive himself to let you go when you did 90 in a 25 speed zone.

Quote:

Originally Posted by listerone

Having seen many,*many* people who have perished in car accidents (I worked for 20 years in a large hospital's ER) I know what booze and speed (individually *and* in combination) can do.Therefore,my policy is...no more than 5mph over the speed limit...which,on an Interstate,is about 10%.My car has tons of torque (400 ft lbs at 1,700 rpm) so acceleration and passing are a breeze....but speed *does* kill.It even kills experienced drivers driving extreme machines.

You are so right my friend had a fathal accident last year ---> CLICK to read all about it he tracked his M3 and organized track meets, he was an excellent driver, still overtaking on a wet road did him in his rear end gave away (according to witnesses) and a tree was in the way costing him his life. He was only 28 and full of life what a loss.

Quote:

Originally Posted by KIS

With your driving philosophy wouldn't it make more sense for you to own a Prius?

I think with your frame of mind perhaps you should get yourself a Prius what you think?

i'm not going to be all holier than thou - i've had experiences much like the OP's and paid the price for them.

but some of the cavalier attitudes about speeding in this thread surprise me. the M3 is a fantastic car, yes, and you may think of yourself as an excellent driver, but no one is invincible. if the best driver who ever lived can lose his life speeding in the most controlled conditions, in a car with the most advanced safety equipment of his time....you can too.

(talking about Senna in case it wasn't obvious, and at risk of sparking a debate on who the best ever was )

Get off your high horse people - if you drive an M3 you know how easy it is to exceed the speed limit by 40mph or more. Shit, in light traffic an M3 driven at 120 is safer than some old beater traveling 65, so lighten up on the judgement and give the OP a CONSTRUCTIVE opinion on his situation, if you have one...

wow.

possibly the most ignorant comment i've ever read on a forum, which is impressive.

Having seen many,*many* people who have perished in car accidents (I worked for 20 years in a large hospital's ER) I know what booze and speed (individually *and* in combination) can do.Therefore,my policy is...no more than 5mph over the speed limit...which,on an Interstate,is about 10%.My car has tons of torque (400 ft lbs at 1,700 rpm) so acceleration and passing are a breeze....but speed *does* kill.It even kills experienced drivers driving extreme machines.

Oh please.....Driving fast is FUN. It can be done very safely. I am 45 and have been a "spirited" driver my entire driving life. In fact, the few accidents I have gotten into have all been under 15mph or I have been stationary. Speed in and of itself doesn't kill. Speeding without properly accounting for and analyzing the conditions around you is what kills. Lack of concentration and distractions kill. Even police officers cruise along at 85-90 miles per hour routinely, even when not on their way to or in pursuit of anything. Speed limits are arbitrary and have little to do with real safety.

Take a good look at this road:

If you wouldn't take your M3 into triple digits on this road at least for a short time, you should have just bought a 328i. The reality of life is that there are many things that can hurt you. Do you want to live your life in a padded room? I guarantee you will be safer. I am also an avid skier. I have been skiing for 38 years and I ski terrain that many people might piss their pants just looking at, but to me it is a thrill. Is there more of a risk? Of course there is. Anything in life that is a more rewarding experience entails an element of greater risk. In fact, you could say that the risk is part of the appeal.

I do agree with all you say, however, with all respect if you need item 12 you are driving too fast.

IMO, a good radar detector and laser jammer does not grant one a license to speed. Rather, it grants one an improvement in situational awareness. What the driver chooses to do is really independent of the detector...

Agreed. Seriously, how many people haven't punched it on more than a few occasions on the street. Sustained high speed driving or street racing is a different story entirely and is very risky, but do you really think you can own an M3 and only exceed the speed limit on a track? Who has the time to get to a track that often?

Over the years, I have learned how to drive fast safely on the street (flame suit is on so fire way).

1. Don't drive fast in traffic

2. Don't drive fast in any type of foul weather

3. Don't drive fast in any kind of populated area

4. Always slow down when passing another vehicle

5. Always keep safe following distances

6. Check all your mirrors frequently

7. Be constantly scanning the edges of the roadway to look for the state revenue generators

8. Slow down before bends, bridges and other places with limited visibility

9. I always set a visual target point for myself to which I am going to drive fast based on all factors considered. When I reach that point, I slow down again.

10. Consider the edges of the roadway. Is is flat off both sides or is there a 100ft cliff on one side.

11. Always know what type of unmarked cars are being used in the areas that you are driving, and learn the common physical traits of unmarked cars. After a while, they won't seem "unmarked".

12. Invest a a good radar detector and laser jammer. If they save you once, they have paid themselves off when you consider ticket and insurance costs.

13. If you see any brake lights going on ahead of you, slow down yourself.

IMO, a good radar detector and laser jammer does not grant one a license to speed. Rather, it grants one an improvement in situational awareness. What the driver chooses to do is really independent of the detector...

Yes! Someone who understands! A detector should only be used to make you more aware of your surroundings. Using a detector as a way out of a ticket is pointless. If the cop is aiming at you, by the time the detector picks up a signal, you're clocked and busted. This is the case for both Radar and Laser.

__________________

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jaypod

You sound like my buddies who have AMG's - Slam the gas, slam the brakes...

Yes! Someone who understands! A detector should only be used to make you more aware of your surroundings. Using a detector as a way out of a ticket is pointless. If the cop is aiming at you, by the time the detector picks up a signal, you're clocked and busted. This is the case for both Radar and Laser.

Wellllll... I can attest that my Escort 9500ci has defeated LIDAR on several occassions.

These days, the most "dangerous" detection mechanism for a driver remains to be "instant-on" radar and the latest generation photo-radar vans. I am guessing that the new photo-radar setups use something other than microwave to do an initial clocking and only activate the radar if you're speeding (since that is one of the legally recognized means of clocking speed).

Wellllll... I can attest that my Escort 9500ci has defeated LIDAR on several occassions.

These days, the most "dangerous" detection mechanism for a driver remains to be "instant-on" radar and the latest generation photo-radar vans. I am guessing that the new photo-radar setups use something other than microwave to do an initial clocking and only activate the radar if you're speeding (since that is one of the legally recognized means of clocking speed).

Great photo, BTW.

Thanks! I mean radar detectors. Not talking about laser jammers. My V1 has been awesome.

__________________

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jaypod

You sound like my buddies who have AMG's - Slam the gas, slam the brakes...

So no one should judge the OP for doing 40mph over the limit, but if anyone chooses not to speed they don't deserve to own an M3?

Gotta love the forum

If one has no interest in spirited driving, why buy a car like the M3? You can get everything you would otherwise need in a car like a loaded up 328. It's certainly not a question of what one deserves, but rather a simple question of why?

With regards to the OP, was he doing sustained driving at 40mph over the limit or was it just a short sprint in a clear area and he got unluckily nabbed? Makes a big difference in my book.